The Lake Hopatcong Foundation needs your votes to win up to $100,000 in grant funding to purchase a 40-foot, custom-built covered pontoon boat for a floating classroom to be used for aquatic education.
The foundation is trying to win a grant from A Community Thrives, USA TODAY NETWORK’S nation-wide philanthropic program. The program enables communities to act on ideas that improve the people, organizations, government, and businesses around them by equipping them with the resources they need to thrive.
Lake Hopatcong Foundation Chairman Marty Kane pitched the projects to the Morris County Board of Freeholders at their April 12 meeting.
“This is a terrific educational concept that could be valuable to school districts from throughout Morris County,” said Morris County Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo. “I urge county residents to support the concept by voting for it.”
The Foundation is seeking the grant to purchase a floating classroom vessel that will hold full classes of students and other groups. The floating classroom would allow the foundation to bring students and people of all ages onto the lake to provide a hands-on experience to learn about fresh water ecology and how to help protect our lakes.
After spending time on the floating classroom participants will gain new knowledge, skills and values that cultivate environmentally responsible behavior.
To be eligible for a grant of either $50,000 or $100,000, the Lake Hopatcong Floating Classroom must be in the top 10 voted submissions in the education category to be considered a finalist. A panel of judges will then determine the top three applicants in each category who will be awarded grants.
You can vote daily from April 12 through May 12 at www.lakehopatcongfoundation.org/vote
“Back in 2015 online voters rallied behind the foundation to successfully win a $10,000 grant. Although it was a frenzied voting period, it was a lot of fun for the community because the foundation was running neck and neck with the Lake George Association. This time, however, will be different since online voters will not see how many votes are being cast, but voting is still very important for the foundation to be a grant finalist in the top 10. Please vote!,” Donna Macalle-Holly, Lake Hopatcong Foundation Acting Executive Director said.
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By: Jay Edwards Follow on Twitter | Like on Facebook
